Antrim county board re-appoint Frank Dawson and Kevin Ryan

Frank Dawson will hope for better in his second season in charge of Antrim

A meeting of the Antrim county board on Monday ratified the incumbent mangers Frank Dawson and Kevin Ryan for a second year in charge of the county’s football and hurling senior sides respectively.

Dawson’s first season in charge saw the Saffrons drop down to the bottom tier of the National League, while the championship saw a meek exit in Ulster at the hands of Monaghan in what was one of the worst games of the summer. Antrim were subsequently beaten by Louth in the Qualifiers.

It is believed that Dawson survived a narrow vote to keep his position.

Waterford native Kevin Ryan kept the hurlers in Division 1B in the Allianz HL after a play-off win over Carlow – a side he previously managed - and oversaw a championship victory against Westmeath.

Defeats to Westmeath and Wexford ended their interest in competitive action for the year, but Ryan has put down foundations that may lead to an upturn in 2014.